Aims and objectives:

The seminar Scientific Methods gives an introduction to the whole process of planning, conducting and presenting research projects. Specific areas covered are: fundamentals of research, selection of a problem to study, review of literature and secondary data, design and setup of empirical studies for collecting data, analysis and interpretation of these data and presentation of findings and conclusions. The focus of the lessons is to enhance the student’s ability to critically evaluate data and assumptions drawn from it. The processes of planning, collecting data and evaluating facts can also be seen as valuable assets in approaching problems in everyday live. Therefore the fallibility of human reason is explicitly included in the lessons. A scientific approach to deal with one’s own misconceptions is advocated.

General learning objectives:

The students need to know the principles of scientific methodology and how to conduct and describe empirical research.The graduates are capable of doing proper scientific research and write a scientific paper that complies with APA standardsGraduates are convinced that following the rules of scientific research is the only way to provide sustainable and transferrable knowledge for the business community

Detailed learning outcomes:

Understand the principles, process and value of scientific research

Know the most important concepts of scientific research

Learn basic skills in planning, implementing and presenting an empirical research project

Get an introduction into analysis of survey data using SPSS (procedures and interpretation of output)